Human Resource Project Management

TANISHA C. LOWERY

708-***-**** ***********@*****.***

DIRECTOR OF PAYROLL

Accomplished payroll leader with extensive experience managing large-scale, multi-state payroll operations across various industries. Expertise in optimizing payroll processes, ensuring compliance, and overseeing payroll tax reporting. Proven success in driving process improvements, automating systems, and managing vendor relationships. Strong leadership in building high-performance teams and collaborating with HR, IT, and Finance to enhance service delivery. Skilled in global payroll management, compliance, and benefits administration, with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Background in system implementations and payroll integrations during mergers and acquisitions. Core Competencies include:

Payroll Management Compliance Process Improvement Vendor Management Leadership System Implementation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HSBC, Chicago, IL 04/2023 – 08/2024

Head of People Services, US

Managed Payroll, Payroll Tax, Delivery Services and Benefits Administration for over 6,000 employees in the US.

Focused on customer service, while maintaining timely and effective governance and controls.

Reviewed processes end-to-end within HR People Services to streamline, simplify and automate them to deliver continuous process improvement, measured by increases in the net promoter score and improved operational metrics.

Embedded a framework for the resolution of issues in partnership with the Service Owners, Service Recipients or global contacts, as required.

Oversaw services provided by HSBC’s offshore utility and third-party vendors and collaborated closely with the Global Service Owner (GSO) and market stakeholders.

Coached, developed and guided team members to reach full potential and maintain a positive & productive team environment.

RXO, Chicago, IL 10/2022 – 10/2023

HRIT Manager

Created and fostered partnerships between HR/Payroll/Time & Attendance, technology teams, and vendor partners.

Worked with HR/Payroll/Time & Attendance and IT leadership teams to define technical roadmaps and prioritize work queues.

Managed the configuration requirements for the HR/Payroll/Time & Attendance systems to meet the business needs while providing best-practice guidance on processes.

Provided system design, configuration, customization, integration, testing and support, including gathering requirements, designing the future state solution, the development objects related to their process scope, as well as supporting testing and post-implementation activities.

Managed 3rd party delivery (config, development, transport, etc.) and expense controls.

Understood interdependencies and complexities of HR/Payroll/Time & Attendance and related activities.

Oversaw creation and management of technical environment landscapes.

Directed integration requirement definition process from a functional and technical perspective.

Owned technical connectivity requirements related to infrastructure, networking, and data centers as applicable.

Navistar, Lisle, IL 08/2018 – 10/2022

Senior Payroll & Contact Center Manager

Managed the payroll and contact center team of 12.

Communicated with HR, Benefits, IT, and executive leadership to evaluate organizational needs while building positive partnership and collaboration of existing & upcoming initiatives.

Addressed management and complex employee questions regarding policy, procedures, and payroll-related issues.

Selected, developed, and evaluated personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function while exercising supervision regarding costs, methods, and staffing.

Ensured high level of customer service and drove department production to exceed goals.

Monitored team performance to ensure calls volume SLAs are met and screening of calls for accuracy of information and measure of service extended.

Met all government reporting requirements for payroll taxes, withholding and employer contributions.

Involved in developing, modifying, and executing company policies that affect immediate operations and may also have company-wide effect.

TANISHA C. LOWERY PAGE TWO

Oversaw budget and policy recommendations, medium-term planning and performance and results of multiple related areas.

Evaluated current systems and recommended and developed operating efficiency improvements.

Audited and signed off on payroll transactions, amendments, and tax filings to ensure accuracy and validate timeliness and that proper procedures were followed.

Outcome Health, Chicago, IL 10/2017 – 08/2018

Payroll Manager

Managed full-cycle activities in the Payroll Department processes including semi-monthly payrolls, bonus and commission payments, garnishments, annual W-2s, RIAs, etc.

Played integral role with special projects such as mergers and acquisitions, testing software updates, etc.

Maintained effective working relationship with payroll service providers, perform periodic contract reviews to ensure services and pricing are in line

Managed Payroll Analyst Team and worked effectively with Finance Partners, HR, HRIS, Compensation and IT departments to create efficient processes and streamline procedures

Administered policies and procedures to ensure efficient and accurate transactions; maintain departmental key controls and process narratives for the payroll cycle

Responded to internal and external audit requests and identify areas of risk and act to mitigate risk

Reconciled monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll taxes and related tax filing reports including 941s, W2s, and payroll tax adjustments

In conjunction with Payroll Tax Service Provider ensured accuracy and timeliness of federal, multi-state and multi-jurisdiction withholding tax payments, deposits, and tax returns

Executed the monthly and quarterly close process related to payroll tax filings in collaboration with service provider and functional leads

Tetra Pak Inc., Vernon Hills, IL 12/2016 – 09/2017

Payroll Manager

Managed and developed the US and Mexico payroll team of 7 ensuring all operational Key Performance Indicators were met.

Ensured payroll processes are delivered accurately and timely in alignment with statutory requirements and company policies.

Continuously reviewed payroll, benefits and tax processed in area of responsibility and implements changes as required to ensure efficient and best practice processes.

Managed relationships with external payroll/benefit vendors and insurance brokers ensuring consistent and quality delivery of services.

Supported the Reward Manager and collaborated with the Reward and/or Master Data teams in the implementation of global initiatives.

Supported and/or responded to escalated employee inquiries received through HR Direct related to payroll and local benefits.

Here, Chicago, IL 12/2014 – 12/2016

Senior Payroll Specialist

Managed all aspects of the Canadian payroll, including establishing appropriate checks and balances to ensure payroll compliance and accuracy.

Reviewed US multi-state payroll for 2000+ employees on a bi-weekly basis for accuracy before transmission and performed detailed testing to ensure that implemented software functioned correctly.

Determined payroll liabilities by approving the calculation of employee federal and state income and social security taxes, and employer's social security, unemployment, and Worker’s Compensation payments.

Prepared and uploaded GL, Accruals and JE entries.

Collaborated with ADP to ensure appropriate Canada taxes (federal and provincial) are reported.

Maintained payroll guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures.

Critically reviewed and analyzed payroll, benefits and tax procedures then recommended and implemented changes which lead to best-practice operations.

Managed regular preparation of relevant management reports, including weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports (gross payroll, hours worked, vacation accrual, tax deductions, benefit deductions, etc.).

Assisted with the monitoring of the company wage and salary structure and the variable pay systems within the company including bonuses and raises.

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Heidrick and Struggles, Chicago, IL 11/2013 – 09/2014

Senior Payroll Analyst

Managed and administered payrolls for the Americas region including Canada and Latin America including all vendor change and/or implementation activities for the region.

Resolved complex issues regarding federal and state taxable income to ensure federal and state taxable income and ensure federal and state wage and hour compliance.

Lead and managed regional process for annual compensation cycle activities (merit, bonuses, etc.).

Identified and implemented continuous process and quality improvement including process organizations initiatives.

Oversaw the monthly reconciliation of all payroll accounts and general ledger posting of payroll journal entry.

Partnered with Benefits team to ensure accuracy for any vendor transitions, annual open enrollment processes, etc.

Ensured accuracy and compliance with all SOX requirements and requests; ensured all documentation was up to date.

Provided business process expertise by understanding business direction and concerns and assisted in designing new processes to support the deployment.

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Exelon (Modis)

Payroll Tax Analyst (Contractor)

Pivot Point International

Payroll Specialist

R.J. O’Brien & Associates

Payroll Manager

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration

Master of Arts (MA), Human Resource Management

Master of Arts (MA), Public Administration (in progress)

Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago, IL

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Political Science

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

Payroll Applications: SAP, PeopleSoft 9.2, UltiPro, Paycom, ADP Payroll (PCPW, Streamline, WFN & Pay Expert), ADP

Pay-At-Work, Ceridian 8.49, Paylocity, Platform One and Celergo (Payroll Aggregator)

Time Keeping Applications: Kronos, EZ Labor Management, Soft Time, Web time, PeopleSoft Time & Labor

Other Applications: PeopleSoft Financials, Ceridian Tax, Cash Pro, HSBC net, Sun, Vision 5.1, Great Plains, Remini Tax,

Remedy, Right Fax, SharePoint, and Report Smith 3.1, Lotus Notes, and Microsoft Office

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